Lagavulin found 寻酒记

Cross posted at http://blogs.sun.com/syw

Last year, I learned whiskey from the master. Still an apprentice, I searched every liquor store that came my way for those Crawford mentioned. Over this year, I have found (and drunk) all but Lagavulin, the Islay whiskey.

Of course, my primary search algorithm is to peruse the airport duty free stores. Last week, in San Francisco attending JavaOne, I walked past this store and, what the heck, let’s take a look. Hey, on the bottom of the shelf stood this lonely bottle. I snatched it right away.

Wow! Smokey and peaty. This is supposed to be the most distinct one in the Islay category. I enjoyed it quite a lot so far. Honestly, I have only a faint memory on the differences between the 4 of them. I use MaCallan as the benchmark and try to tell the difference between them. I guess I need to hit the bottles now.

Crawford also told me this store to visit. Whoever happens to be at Taipei, do stop by Wonderful Wines and Spirits at 6F, No 200, Sung Chiang Rd (+886 2 2536.8261). Tell them Crawford sent you.


同步上网于http://blogs.sun.com/syw_zh

自去年上了宝贵个一堂品酒课后,这新学生就四处寻觅威士忌。一年来,四瓶找到了三,Lagavulin一直没买到。当然,我的努力主要是在机场的免税店中而已。但上周在旧金山JavaOne时,路过这店,进去瞅瞅,居然在底层架上看到这孤单的一瓶。立刻买下。

这酒烟味及泥煤味重,应是Islay区的典型代表。我觉得味道很好,但说真的也有点忘了另三瓶的特色了。我都是用McCallan来做标准,注意别瓶和它的差异。看来得再开瓶做功课了。

Crawford还告诉我这店。谁去台北,请光临松江路200号六楼的“Wonderful Wines and Spirits”(电话:+886 2 2536.8261)。说是Crawford介绍的。

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Judaism

God proposed, “I will take care of your offspring if they worship me.” Abraham agreed, Judaism was born and forever mired in two most violent human subjects: race and religion.

History complicated Judaism almost from the beginning. Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, lost 10 sons after King Solomon died. Anyone can be a descendant from one of them. The historical definition of “offspring” follows the maternal line: if one’s mother is a Jew, one is a Jew. But what qualifies one’s Mother Jew? Did she really worship God?

The strictest definition of “worship” follows the Torah: the sacred scripture that governs, in great detail, a Jew’s daily life. The more relaxed definition requires only observance of common Jewish traditions, such as circumcision, Seder, or Bar Mitzvah. The disagreement between these two ends is beyond huge.

Racial issues frequently begin with delineating “us” and “them,” and quickly followed by how they have wronged us. I have long suspected righteousness is really rooted on politics, money, or power. Why does it matter that they cannot be us? Would God give his blessings based on human’s own classification? Would the judgment at the Pearly Gate based on earthly affiliations? Clearly, all these efforts to delineate serve only that.

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funny

http://msittig.blogspot.com/2008/05/click-for-full-size.html

It does require Chinese reading skill to appreciate.

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山西

云岗是四大石窟之一(克孜尔,敦煌,及龙门)。看了美术馆展的敦煌摹临品后,决心要看看真品。果然不屈此行。从北京,云冈应是最近的。大同归来,我觉得敦煌摹临加上云冈亲历,可能是完美组合。敦煌主要是壁画,摹临品灯光打得好,看得近,看得仔细。云冈是雕刻,需要身历其境。听说敦煌的条件较艰难,对我这养尊处优,四体不勤的上班族。云冈合适亲临。

石窟的震撼力是多方面的,站在云曜五窟前,那佛的气势,雄伟,震人心弦。走近看雕工,看规模,尤其是中期的五,六窟,又是叹为观止。北魏(386~534)对佛教,真已到了痴迷的地步。后来他们迁都洛阳,又带去了龙门石窟。有趣的是许许多多的“二佛并列”,虽是经上的多宝佛及释迦的故事,但事实上是 史上另一个“垂帘听政”:冯太后和魏孝文帝二圣并治。中国人不以为北魏是大朝,可能因为是鲜卑族的关系。其实除了汉唐明清外,它也传了十几代,历时近150年,实施了许多重大改革:废奴隶,均田,汉化。版图北至蒙古,南到江淮。在历史上,是个大朝。

既已到大同,看看下华严寺呗。黑咚咚个殿,一堆佛像,不知要看啥。高人指点,才知道左边站个“合掌露齿菩萨”,可是大大有名的。东瞧西看,那神情体态,能让你感觉到一股温暖,驻足而不能离开。真好。

五台山创立时以它似灵鸠山(释迦牟尼成佛地)为由,得到了当朝政府的支持。日后不断的有历朝历代的肯定,也就不断的发展。达到了个规模后,成了佛教四大名山之一(普陀,峨嵋,九华)。直到今天,还有大量香客,信徒,居士,出家人来朝拜礼佛。当然,它的名声,历史,及艺术地位,也吸引了观光客。游五台山,功课要做好,不然就请个好导游。不然每个寺都一样,看的一头雾水。大力推荐“一盏明灯”素菜馆。住选“五峰宾馆”应是不会错的。

悬空寺是北岳恒山第一景,为什么要在山崖中建寺,无人而知。千年后,人们只能叹为观止,想象古人的创意及决心。有趣的是这寺是三教合一。有个“三教殿”,供着老子,孔子,及释迦牟尼。另一殿供着三尊看似普通的佛像,听了讲解,才知道那是“脱纱佛像”,全重不到三公斤。这种佛像又叫“行佛”,为了减少重量,塑像时先做泥胎,外包麻布,上漆后再把泥胎刮掉。佛出行时才抬得动,所以叫“行佛”。悬空寺当然是为了结构承力的考虑而做这些像。全中国已经没几个这种行佛了。

第一次去太原,必然得去王家祖庙看看喽。从市中心去晋祠,有40分钟的车程。晋祠是个大公园,其中观光景点收门票(70元,公园免费)。其实,晋祠原是唐太宗家祠,也有个圣母殿祭拜周武王夫人(姜太公之女)。1993年时,有人重修了明朝大将王琼的晋溪书院,并称这书院为“王家祖庙”,祭周太子晋。王姓各宗,其实没有真正在这“王家祖庙”的祠堂。但我也不知道那还有另一个王家祖庙,就认它呗。

山西吃的就是面食了,去了家“山西饭庄”,一顿饭来了五六种主食,还有表演。来山西五天吃了六次“炸糕”,以山西饭庄的最好吃:外脆内软,面馅合一,甜度适中。我们这团,吃成炸糕专家团了。

北京去云冈,最佳攻略可能是一天半来回。三点左右的火车去大同,晚上九点多到,奔酒店(推荐“雁江宾馆”)。一早直奔云岗,再看几个寺庙,吃顿饭,夜车回北京。也就是说,一个周末可以搞定。

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山西文物:永安寺,广济寺

yongansi.jpg

一百人去山西,一百人不知浑源县。到了浑源县,问路人永安寺在那,他们说没这庙,您是不是走错地方了。真是明珠蒙尘,国宝级的文物,无人问津。我们一行人到了,管理员才去开大厅的门。而就是当天所有的游客了(总收入80元)。薄老师早有准备,叫大家拿出手电。踏入大雄宝殿,大家倒吸一口气,不敢相信眼前的壁画。这是元末明初的作品,北墙八面怒像,东西墙各三行水陆道场,绘满数百仙人鬼三界名流。各个栩栩如生,神情各异,衣冠精细,颜色鲜艳。这几面墙,可以让人细看几天,甚至研究数年。而这地方居然连个书摊都没有,别提画册了。

整寺保存完整,建筑方正。琉璃,檐饰,砖雕,基座,整体结构,都能细细体会。我觉得这永安寺至少能做个好网站,也许也能出本书。但出了寺门,我只有个淡淡的忧虑,也许没人知道也好,至少些人为的破坏。
guanjisi.jpg

到了五台山县城,找个国家级文物“广济寺”。更无人知无人晓了,东转西弯,到了。门口几个摊子,一个破门。导游颠颠推门而入,找半天才有个人来卖票。转进院子,走不进去了。前面的人惊艳而驻足,挡住了后头的。一个破破的大雄宝殿,柱头上居然有个唐朝的木雕,生动的个孩子,往远处招手。走进殿,一群罗汉,或怒或笑,或入定,或酣睡。神情生动,仿佛真的罗汉坐那千年了。转到佛像后,漆黑不见五指,手电打开,一片惊呼。三圣(观音,文殊,普贤)并列,各有坐骑,各有护法。塑工精练,古璞自然,保存完整。

文物要如何才能生存呢?殿前碑文写“寺制极巍峨,栋宇插云,斗拱焕日”。只能想象当年了。离开广济寺,管理人带上寺门,随手扣上个简单的锁。佛像,罗汉无奈的在漆黑的殿里默默等着。他们那么生动,似有灵气。他们冷冷的孤寂,让人心头一颤。孤寂是生存的代价,值吗?

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Crossing the River 过江难

Cross posted at http://blogs.sun.com/syw

HuangPu River carved the lovely Bund, the prime financial real estate since China leased this area to Britain in 1870s. It slices the city into halves.

ShangHai City started from the west side (PuXi) and expanded east, toward the sea. The river exacted a distance tax to PuDong, or the east of HuangPu river. It accepted to be the lesser part of ShangHai.

No more. Its rural land provided growth space for high-tech industries. The adjacency to the new airport and sea ports makes it a better choice of trade, light manufacturing, and the steel industry. PuDong is now rich, modern, and vibrant. PuXi, however, remains charming, classic, and the choice location for the best restaurants.

The necessity of crossing the river is a daily nightmare. Subway network is not yet mature. Tunnels are frustrating. Bridges are inconvenient detours. Then, I found the lovely alternative: the ferry. I like ferries.

There are two commuter ferry lines (and many tourist ones). The shorter one costs 0.50 RMB and the longer one 2. A short wait beacons the boat and begins the leisure crossing. I soaked in busy river activities and understood the role this river plays to the prosperity of this biggest city of China.

Then the taxi thrusted me back to the mega-city’s arteries.


同步上网于http://blogs.sun.com/syw_zh

黄埔江,一弯刻出了个悠悠的外滩。从1870年代英租界时,就是金融中心了。但这江,也把上海一分为二:浦东,浦西。

老上海市在浦西。因为要过河,浦东总是低了一等。但今非昔比,浦东有地,离新机场及港口近,对高新业,加工业,钢铁业,都有大吸引力。今天,浦东又新,又大,又繁华。而浦西依旧迷人,古典,也有最多的好餐厅。

过江,就成了上海人天天头疼的大事。轨道还没盖好,隧道塞,桥又远。而我这次发现了轮渡,多遐意。我迷渡轮。

过河有两线,东昌路口直过5毛钱,去外滩2元。船娓娓漂来,吃力离岸,我眼看江上船来船去,明白了这水对上海的重要性。

一下船,出租车立马把我再注射进上海的动脉。

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Candies for Beatles Fan

Across the Universe

Directed by Julie Taymor

Pub. Date: 2007

Cross posted at http://blogs.sun.com/syw

My iPods collects 128 Beatles songs.

They have cryptic lyrics, but mysteriously beautiful, bringing tears or smiles from the heart. You can’t talk when the music is still playing; and have long buried the moment in your heart when the song ended. When the movie scene starts, they all came back.

Maybe it is a clever musical strung together with Beatles? No, that’s possible only with ABBA. This is Julie Taymor’s interpretations. Nicely done.

She was giddy talking about Paul McCartney at the pre-screening. Oprah joined her like a teenage slumber party girl. “Wow,” I thought. “The power of Beatles.”


我的iPods里有128首批头四的歌.

这些歌的歌词晦涩但又特特迷人,常让人泪上心头或不由心暖一笑.歌放的时候不能讲,放完了就过了。于是那感觉就被深埋心中。电影中唱起来时,又被翻起。

可能编剧心巧的用批头四的歌穿成这音乐剧吗?我想不能,又不是ABBA。Julie Taymor的心血尽在此了。而且是一佳作。

Paul McCartney看预演时就挨着Julie Taymor坐。她说到那时可真是雀跃。Oprah居然也像小女孩到朋友家睡过夜一样的跳。
批头四,真魔力不减。

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寄了封信给“中国民用总局消费者事务中心”

四月17早上九点25分,我抵达上海浦东机场国航柜台,准备拿11点往北京班机,CA985,的登机牌。柜台人员说那班机将会延误至少两小时,如果我愿意,可以搭早一班933,但是933九点半起飞,我得立刻决定。于是丢下行李,直奔登机口。慌乱过安检,跳上小巴,喘气坐在往飞机的路上,心头开始嘀咕,“我的行李怎办?” 北京三号航站的行李查询中心已经是一片战火了。女高音,男高音 (没有中低音的)。一群人围着几个服务人员,他们焦头烂额,电话放不下,顾客气急败坏,连骂带威胁。

我找了个女孩,平静的对她说,“对不起。能问个问题吗?”她极讶异。於是跟我问了几句,接着找了个头,明白了原委,写了张纸给我。

我回家,休息安顿,三小时后回到机场,出示那张纸给警卫,直奔行李查询中心。我的行李在那坐着等呢。正提起它,一人进来,破口大骂,“你们这什么国航,还想办奥运。我的行李呢?” 我一话不说,出机场。

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Foot Massage 足底按摩

Cross posted at http://blogs.sun.com/syw

“I insist,” said a friend. “How can you live in Beijing for almost 3 years without experiencing it.” She sounded just like myself when I said to Maggie a couple of years ago, “You grew up in Beijing and never visited the Forbidden City?” So I sheepishly follow them into this dimly lit massage parlor.

Foot massage, that is.

Many Chinese believe in reflexological therapy. The general theories associate vital organs and circulation to areas on one’s feet. By stimulating the corresponding areas, one will heal or strengthen the associative organs. You can also diagnose by observing how areas of your feet react to massage actions.

The place is subtly decorated with staff quietly busying around. We were led to a room lined wtih easy chairs and foot stools. Soon, a waiter came in to confirm our services and take orders for drinks and foods (all complimentary). A few minutes after, 4 masseurs came in each with a wooden bucket of hot liquid. Flower petals float on the slightly colored water. It was scorching hot, yet soothing to soak your feet in. The masseurs then start work on our shoulders and backs. Knots that I did not know exist disappeared and tension from neck loosens. Just when I noticed the water is getting cold, the masseur took my feet out, wrap them with warm damp towels, and took out the bucket.

They came back and start working on my feet. With lubricant, she pressed, rub, pinched, or rolled pretty much every parts. It hurt a bit, but not too much. Some parts generate unfamilar sensations that are part itchy, part a bit pain, and part soothing. It was the “good hurt.” I found myself getting drowsy and becoming quiet.

Too soon, they stopped and bid us farewell. We stayed to finish our drink and chat. As the conversation ends, we put our shoes back on (I don’t want to) and left, very refreshed.

Hmm, I can get used to this…


“真没想到,”一个朋友十分诧异地问我,“你在北京住三年了竟然都没试过?”她的神情跟我两年前问 Maggie 时候的一模一样:“你从小在北京长大竟然没去过故宫?”于是我屁颠屁颠地跟着他们来到这个灯光昏暗的按摩店。

对了,我说的就是足底按摩。

中国人比较相信反射疗法。也就是说人的主要脏器、循环系统和脚底是有联系的。刺激脚底的相应区域,能够治疗相应器官的疾病或改善他们的功能。按摩这些区域,观察脚的反应,还能够诊断相应器官的健康状况。

这家按摩店装修别致,工作人员都在默默地忙碌着。我们被领到一个房间里,里面排着舒服的椅子和脚凳。很快,一个服务员进来确认服务种类,并让我们点饮料和吃的(都是含在服务里的)。不一会,四位按摩师进来了,每人端着一只木桶,桶里装满热气腾腾、颜色微深的汤水,上面漂浮着花瓣。水非常烫,但可以慢慢试着把脚放进去,很舒服。按摩师开始按摩肩膀和后背。她的按摩化解了我以前或许没注意到的结节,也舒缓了颈部的紧张。当水刚刚开始变凉的时候,按摩师把我的脚拿了出来,用湿的热毛巾裹好。

然后开始按摩脚。她用一点润滑油,开始对脚的每个部位压、搓、捏、揉。有一点疼,但还好。有的部位会有一种不熟悉的感觉 – 有点痒,又有点疼痛,但又有点舒服。真是”痛并快乐着” 。我发现自己慢慢开始昏昏欲睡,安静了下来。

很快她们按摩完了,送客。我们又待了一会,一边聊天,一边喝完饮料。聊完天,穿上鞋子(还真有点不愿意),感觉非常清爽。

别说,我可能会上瘾呢…

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扬州麻花

走在扬州的广陵路上,一群人排大队。瞅一下呗。哟。麦麻花。唉。麻花有这么至於吗?当然,天下只要是吃的,都能是大事。更好玩,就隔壁挨着,也卖麻花。但别提排队了,一个顾客都没。既然给我碰到了,爷就排一下,领教领教吧。


“小家平麻花”一斤8元,40根。驰名扬州地面。他家麻花酥而不油,久而不蚝。但问起秘诀,王家平说仅在和面功夫罢了。每天下午1:30开张,做到6点左右面用完了休息,基本上永远有十个人以上在排队。

我看了看,一人收钱,一人油炸,5人揉麻花,1人分面。15分钟炸一锅,10斤上下。一天180斤,收入1440元,每月约4万多。店面看来是祖产,员工都是非技术人员,每天工作半天,千把元就够了。材料就是面粉,油,燃料,及塑料袋子,看来不会到四分之一的成本。也就是说每月有两万五的税前收入。一年是三十万以上啊。卖麻花,这也是了不得的成就了。

我们买了三斤带回北京。两天就被瓜分一净。

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